Magia ornamentu / Galeria / A Pendant shaped as a Bear
A Pendant shaped as a Bear
Chronology:
Iron age, probably Viking age c800-1000 AD
Location:
Øvre Haugsten. Råde, Østfold, Norway. This small animal was found a long time ago and handed over to the museum by private citizens. Therefore, we don't know so much about the circumstances and the context.
Object type:
Pendant/figurine
Material:
Amber (Fossilised tree resin)
Technology:
Combined structured light scan and photogrammetry by Justin Kimball
Muzeum Historii Kultury, Uniwersytet w Oslo, Norwegia
This small animal figure would fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. It’s smooth mirror like surface and deep red-gold colour make it look like blood that has been turned to stone. The creature is curled up in a yoga-like position. Holding its hind legs with its front paws, and its back feet around its neck forming a tight ring. The hole through the middle suggestive of a pendant or bead.
Broad ears, round head and small close-together eyes reminds some people of a bear. For others the tail and snout is a dog. Perhaps it is neither, or maybe it is both.
Literature:
- Lillehammer, G. 2010 En perlegåte. In I perlehumør. Fra Haug ok Heidni. Tidsskrift for Rogalands arkeologiske forening. Nr. 3. 13-17.
- Rygh, O 1885: Norske Oldsaker. Nr 318. Christiania.
- https://www.unimus.no/portal/#/things/2c8748dd-a572-4b69-81b7-2c102ac5e5de